A rare piece of American history has emerged from the depths of Youghiogheny River Lake in Pennsylvania, as ongoing drought conditions have caused water levels to plunge, revealing the Great Crossings Bridge and remnants of the long-submerged town of Somerfield.
Typically hidden beneath nearly 50 feet of water in southwestern Somerset County, the 206-year-old stone bridge, constructed in 1818 during President James Monroe’s administration, has once again seen the light of day. The bridge, once a crucial link on the historic National Road (Route 40) connecting the Potomac and Ohio rivers, was flooded when the Youghiogheny River Lake was created in the 1940s.
Now, thanks to the ongoing drought, this relic of early American infrastructure — along with crumbling sidewalks, old tree lines, and the foundations of buildings from Somerfield — has reappeared, drawing hundreds of curious visitors.
“It’s surreal to walk along the streets of a town that’s been underwater for decades,” one visitor remarked on social media. “You can clearly make out where sidewalks and homes once stood.”
Drought Reveals Forgotten History
Much of Somerset, Fayette, and Westmoreland counties is currently experiencing severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. While Pennsylvania has seen drier years, 2024’s rainfall shortage has been enough to expose historical structures not seen since previous droughts.
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According to the Army Corps of Engineers, the Great Crossings Bridge becomes visible when water levels drop to 1,392 feet and is fully exposed at 1,384 feet. Andrew Byrne, a public affairs specialist with the Corps, confirmed these levels and noted that the spectacle has brought a rush of tourism — even as it disrupts local marinas and businesses that rely on steady lake levels.
“It’s incredible to witness,” said one visitor. “The drought may be devastating, but seeing a 200-year-old bridge again is something I’ll never forget.”
Social media has been flooded with photos of families walking across the exposed bridge deck, snapping pictures among the ruins of Somerfield’s past.
What’s Next for the Lake?
While the sight of the bridge is captivating, relief may be on the horizon. Forecasters predict rain in the coming weeks, which could start to refill the lake. Officials expect water levels to begin recovering by December, which means the opportunity to see the Great Crossings Bridge in person may soon pass.
For history buffs, photographers, and the merely curious, this is a fleeting chance to walk through a ghost of America’s past — but you’ll have to act fast before the waters return.
